"Damn it, the guy you hit is connected to Executive Officer Mr. 11. You're on your own now," the manager grumbled as he walked away.
Gion asked, "Raleigh, why aren't we going straight to find Crocodile instead of staying here? From what that guy said, he's related to one of Crocodile's officers. Shouldn't they come looking for trouble?"
Gion knew pirates couldn't stand being humiliated—if given the chance, they would seek revenge.
But if Raleigh went straight to Crocodile, wouldn't he be inviting trouble?
Raleigh tilted his head and leaned on Gion's shoulder.
"Crocodile is a figure of status now. We can't just fight or kill him. Since an idiot delivered himself to us, we'll use him as the 'chicken' to scare the monkeys."
Raleigh was lazy.
He didn't know if Crocodile was at Rain Dinners, but if things escalated, Crocodile would show up.
Besides, the last time he met Crocodile, he was alone.
Now, he had established the framework of Baroque Works.
Raleigh wanted to test its strength. If even the newly set sailed Luffy and his crew couldn't be defeated, their level couldn't be high.
What Raleigh miscalculated was that the one who came knocking wasn't a Baroque Works officer as he assumed, but Crocodile himself.
...
After hearing the manager's report in his luxurious office on the upper floor of Rain Dinners, Crocodile, who was furious, decided to take matters into his own hands.
Crocodile stepped out of the elevator and followed the manager to the casino's lounge area.
The gamblers on both sides of the path watched Crocodile's figure and discussed among themselves.
"My goodness, it's Lord Crocodile taking action. That young couple is in for it now."
"What are you talking about? Lord Crocodile is the hero of Alabasta. At most, he'll just teach them a lesson."
"Right, teaching them a lesson and letting them go is the magnanimity Lord Crocodile possesses."
The gamblers lavished praise on Crocodile, blowing smoke up his ass.
This caused Crocodile, who was puffing on a cigar, to ease his gloomy expression.
"They're right over there, Boss."
The manager pointed, and Crocodile spotted a man and woman with their backs turned to him.
The man's silhouette felt familiar to Crocodile.
"It feels like I've seen him somewhere before."
Although Crocodile racked his brain trying to recall where that memory came from, his body carried him to a spot near Raleigh and Gion.
"Hey, friend, isn't it a bit inappropriate to cause trouble in my place? Not even offering an explanation—are you trying to disrespect me?"
Raleigh was leaning on Gion's shoulder, taking a nap, when he was awakened by Crocodile's voice.
Listening to Crocodile's imposing speech, Raleigh thought to himself, 'No wonder he's called the most dignified man. Dignity? Whose dignity? Yours? But, Crocodile, what dignity do you have in front of me?'
Raleigh lifted his head from Gion's shoulder and turned to look at Crocodile.
When Raleigh's gaze fell upon Crocodile, it felt like a knife piercing his heart.
Crocodile's hair stood on end, frozen like a mouse that had seen a cat.
He didn't expect the person he had been cursing would appear in front of him. By the looks of it, they had been in the casino for a while.
'This is bad.'
Crocodile's first instinct was to turn and leave, but since Raleigh had seen him, fleeing now would mean he could never hold his head up in front of Raleigh.
He dragged his stiffened body over to Raleigh.
"Have a seat," Raleigh said.
Crocodile gritted his teeth and replied, "I didn't know it was you, Vice Admiral Raleigh. This isn't the place for a conversation. How about we go to the office upstairs?"
Since Raleigh was here, Crocodile anticipated what might happen.
But as the epitome of dignity, how could he embarrass himself in front of a crowd? If he had to lose his dignity, it would be in a private space like his office.
Raleigh thought for a moment.
Talking in Crocodile's office was fine—he wasn't worried about traps Crocodile might set.
"Lead the way."
Three words made Crocodile clench his fists in anger.
He swore this was the first time in his life he guided someone! Feelings of humiliation and resentment festered within him.
Raleigh didn't care what Crocodile thought.
As long as he had power, he didn't need to care about others' opinions.
In the spacious office, fruits and red wine were brought in.
Raleigh sat in Crocodile's seat, propped his legs up on the desk, and looked at Crocodile sideways.
"Let's hear it. The World Government has had you out for so long—how many pirates have you killed? I heard on my way here that you even became a hero of the Alabasta Kingdom. Are you that idle?"
Crocodile stood before Raleigh, saying, "We've done our best these three years, killing an average of four hundred pirates and destroying thirty pirate ships each year."
Raleigh wore a mocking smile.
"Trash, is that all? Is this the extent of your strength, Crocodile? I've seen the reports on you. You only kill rookies who land in Alabasta to pad your numbers—you can't send out your own men. The only reason I didn't kill you back then was because the World Government thought you were capable. But now it seems you're nothing but trash."
"Crocodile, it seems I need to remind you: the purpose of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is to curb the growth of pirates. If you can't do that, I'll have to apply to revoke your status as a Warlord."
Raleigh's words were full of threat, but Crocodile didn't dare to gamble.
Right now, his most important asset was his status as a Warlord.
At first, he looked down on the title, but over the three years he held it, he experienced its benefits.
Aside from the ships of the World Government, kingdom nobles, and the New Navy, all other merchant vessels were fair game.
That was why he established Baroque Works and opened casinos—because he gained too many advantages by leveraging his Warlord status.
Another reason was that being a Warlord prevented the Navy from targeting him. Being a pirate offered no benefits besides freedom.
Not only were they enemies of the World Government and the Navy, but most of the time, even pirates within the same faction were adversaries.
Just like when Whitebeard and Roger's Pirate Crews met, they would fight.
"Give me more time. I've just set up the organization's framework and haven't started exterminating pirates yet."
Raleigh raised his hand, manipulating the wind in the air, and slapped Crocodile across the face.
A clear handprint appeared on Crocodile's face.
Crocodile didn't move, but his face flushed red.
Raleigh said, "This is your lesson, Crocodile. Remember, I'll give you one more year. If you can't control thirty percent of the pirates passing through Reverse Mountain within that time, I'll come back and cut off your head."